Jess Jackson, Jr.

Jess Jackson Jr. grew up on a ranch near Abilene, Texas. As a second generation NRCS employee, he was surrounded by beef and dairy cows, dairy goats, chickens, horses, and sheep at various times. His family planted winter small grains to go with the pasture and managed rangeland for grazing in winter months. The family also maintained two to three acres of garden, an orchard, and a vineyard each year.

Jess graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. and Masters Degree in Range Management and a B.S. in Agronomy.  Jess is also a trained grant writer and was an accredited instructor for the U. S. Army’s Command and General Staff Officers College.

Jess began working with NRCS in 1981 as a range management specialist and spent 17 years working throughout Texas with ecosystems ranging from the Chihuahuan Desert to the Coastal Marshes. Jess accepted a position assisting the Iowa Heartland RC&D (nonprofit corporation) in 1998 and moved to Iowa. He later became the grassland specialist for southeastern Iowa and the acting state specialist for Iowa.  

Jess became the National Partnership Liaison for NRCS in February of 2015 and moved to Ft. Worth, Texas. Working with the national headquarters staff provides fantastic opportunities to emphasize partnerships, technical excellence and getting good conservation on America’s working lands.

Jess holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and retired after 28 years of service in the Army Guard and Reserves. He is active in their local church, serving as elder, lead singer, Sunday school teacher, home group leader and more. Jess coached baseball, softball, and basketball until his children entered school sports. Jess and his wife Kim have four children, with three in college. 

Listen to Jess's Spotlight Series presentation:

Partnering With Private Landowners